Youth Class (Ages 11-13): Coin & Seamless Rings: January 6 & 13 from 3:00-6:00

New youth metalsmithing class for those in grades 6, 7, or 8!

Learn how to create a seamless ring from a coin or silver disc by using presses and dies! Crafting rings in this manner offers some alternative benefits including the ability to size rings up or down multiple sizes on a ring stretcher/reducer.

Students will learn to create their own “washer” blanks using a disc cutter and/or a centering punch tool. We will then learn to use the hydraulic press, arbor press, and stretcher/reducer to first fold the resulting “washer” into a cone, and then stretch it into a rough ring shape. As we proceed, we will go over the important procedures of annealing and deburring our ring to protect it from fracturing.

We will cover a variety of methods to shape our rough blank into a more refined/desirable shape using reduction dies with varying angles. Along the way, we will discuss methods to protect the texture on the washer’s surface as it is being manipulated. Once we have achieved our desired size and shape, we will go over some finishing options including adding a patina.

After completing this workshop, students will be well equipped to create a textured seamless ring in their desired size out of raw materials from start to finish in an hour or so!

A Materials Kit (value $10) is included in your tuition and contains Buffing pads (80/80, 240/240, 400/4000), Sandpaper, Brass blanks and use of tools including outside ring holder and Deburring tool.

We will cover:

• Using the arbor press,  hydraulic press and ring stretcher/reducer with dies

• Cutting/punching center holes with disc cutters and center punches

• Folding “washers” into a cone shape, and stretching cones to achieve a ring shape

• Annealing and avoiding (or achieving,  if desired) reticulation

• Cutting with a deburring tool and avoiding stress fractures

• Swedish Wrap reduction technique

• Quick polish/patina tips

• Protecting the ring during the fabrication process using Teflon tape, Delrin components, lubricant, urethane pads, etc.

• Resolving wobbly rings

• Further applications: Mega stretcher, doming for bells, spinner rings, flush setting stones, beads, repurposing cutout plugs

Details:

• 2 Mondays: from 3:00-6:00. You must be able to attend both days as no makeups will be given.
• 6 contact hours (3 hours each day), grades 6, 7, or 8 (or ages 11-13) located at the Silver Peak Studio Classroom 100.5 E. Cleveland, Lafayette 80026
• # students: 3 minimum, 6 maximum
• Tools are provided
• Materials base kit fee: $20 + silver coins and rounds will be available for purchase from your instructor. (or you can bring your own silver coin; must be 40% fine silver).
• Prerequisite: none

The last day to cancel your reservation for a refund or transfer ($25 transfer fee applies) is December 23, 2024.

By registering for a class at Silver Peak Studio, you agree to our cancellation policy, dress code for class, and studio rules.

About the instructor, Bryan Schon

“With a background in psychology and paintball, I truly stumbled into the realm of metalsmithing and never looked back. I grew up in Massachusetts and studied psychology at the University of Connecticut, where I captained the paintball team and ran an online paintball business. Upon graduating, I took a job as a behavioral health technician in Lakewood, Colorado and continued to run my web business. Eventually I had the opportunity to move into a brick-and-mortar location, but as luck would have it my lease was signed right when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. 

When my lease expired in 2021, I decided to liquidate the business and considered pursuing a master’s degree in psychology. I invested some of the money in silver bullion, and one dealer gifted me a coin ring, sparking my curiosity about how it was made. I decided to take an introductory metalsmithing course and fell in love with the meditative and rewarding nature of working with my hands. I proceeded to teach myself the coin ring process and by October 2022 I was teaching classes on the subject. 

My love of both metalsmithing and teaching have blossomed, and I have expanded my skills and class offerings to include sandcasting and fusing with Argenteum. I am captivated by jewelry-scale work and driven by an endless pursuit of knowledge and a strong desire to share it with others. Now based in the greater Denver area, I am passionate about sharing my craft and hope to expand my teaching nationally in the coming years. I’ve also developed a strong interest in the 3D realm including 3d printing, laser engraving, CAD/CAM, and AI, and I plan to continue to incorporate these innovative technologies into my work moving forward.”